US3728831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Square ended air inflated structures
Assignee: Birdair Structures Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-12
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An air inflated structure having generally squared end sections when viewed in plan. Each end section includes an end portion having a partial generally cylindrically shaped surface and a pair of corner portions having partial generally spherically shaped surfaces. Each end portion includes an air inflated envelope portion formed of a plurality of horizontally elongated panels, which are edge joined to vertically adjacent panels; and a cable system comprising a series of widely spaced, flexible tension devices. The tension devices are anchored adjacent their lower ends, connected adjacent their upper ends to tension transmitting cables arranged within and extending lengthwise of the central section, and fixed intermediate their respective ends one to each of the envelope panels. Support columns may be arranged within the structure in engagement with the fittings connecting the tension devices and transmitting cables to prevent collapse of the structure in the event of sudden loss of inflating air.
Inventors
- 👤 W Bird
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:50
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/20; E04H15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
An air inflated structure adapted to overlie a ground anchorage, which comprises in combination: a central section of partial generally cylindrically shaped surface configuration fixed to the ground anchorage; a pair of end means joined to said central section for closing opposite ends thereof, at least one of said end means being an air inflated end section including an end portion arranged perpendicular to said central section and a pair of corner portions arranged adjacent opposite ends of said end portion, each said corner portion including an air inflated envelope portion of partial generally spherically shaped surface configuration, each said end portion including an air inflated envelope portion of partial generally cylindrically shaped surface configuration and a series of generally parallel flexible tension devices, each said corner portion envelope portion being marginally joined to said central section and an end of said end portion envelope portion and attached in fluid sealed relationship to the ground anchorage, said end portion envelope portion being marginally joined to said central section and each of said corner portion envelope portions as aforesaid and fluid sealed relative to the ground anchorage, said tension devices having lower ends thereof fixed to the ground anchorage and being spaced apart lengthwise of said end portion and extending vertically thereof; means to attach said tension devices to said end portion envelope portion, said end portion envelope portion defining between adjacent tension devices generally toroidal shaped envelope elements extending vertically of said end portion thereby permitting transfer of essentially all loads imposed on said end portion envelope portion horizontally into said tension devices; a plurality of parallel tension transmitting cables disposed inwardly and running lengthwise of said central section; and tension transmitting means, said tension transmitting means interconnecting ends of said tension transmitting cables one to each of the upper ends of said tension devices of said end portion and the other of said end means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
An air inflated structure adapted to overlie a ground anchorage, which comprises in combination: a central section of partial generally cylindrically shaped surface configuration fixed to the ground anchorage; a pair of end means joined to said central section for closing opposite ends thereof, at least one of said end means being an air inflated end section including an end portion arranged perpendicular to said central section and a pair of corner portions arranged adjacent opposite ends of said end portion, each said corner portion including an air inflated envelope portion of partial generally spherically shaped surface configuration, each said end portion including an air inflated envelope portion of partial generally cylindrically shaped surface configuration and a series of generally parallel flexible tension devices, each said corner portion envelope portion being marginally joined to said central section and an end of said end portion envelope portion and attached in fluid sealed relationship to the ground anchorage, said end portion envelope portion being marginally joined to said central section and each of said corner portion envelope portions as aforesaid and fluid sealed relative to the ground anchorage, said tension devices having lower ends thereof fixed to the ground anchorage and being spaced apart lengthwise of said end portion and extending vertically thereof; means to attach said tension devices to said end portion envelope portion, said end portion envelope portion defining between adjacent tension devices generally toroidal shaped envelope elements extending vertically of said end portion thereby permitting transfer of essentially all loads imposed on said end portion envelope portion horizontally into said tension devices; a plurality of parallel tension transmitting cables disposed inwardly and running lengthwise of said central section; and tension transmitting means, said tension transmitting means interconnecting ends of said tension transmitting cables one to each of the upper ends of said tension devices of said end portion and the other of said end means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein said end portion envelope portion is defined by a plurality of relatively narrow, horizontally elongated envelope panels extending lengthwise of said end portion, said envelope panels being joined to vertically adjacent envelope panels, and said tension devices extending transversely of said envelope panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 2, wherein said envelope panels are characterized as possessing a substantially greater degree of extensibility in a direction transversely thereof than in a direction lengthwise thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 2, wherein said tension devices lie along the outer surface of said end portion envelope portion, and said attaching means includes sleeve devices fixed to anD extending transversely of the outer surface of said envelope panels, said tension devices being frictionally engaged within said sleeve devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein said tension devices lie along the outer surface of said end portion envelope portion, and each of said tension transmitting means includes outer and inner members and fastener means adapted to removably secure said members together with said end portion envelope portion clamped therebetween, said outer members being secured to upper ends of said tension devices and said inner members being secured to said tension transmitting cables, and said fastener means extending through said envelope portion of said end portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 5, wherein said outer and inner members are of like configuration and in the form of elongated plates bent along a line extending transversely thereof to define angularly disposed clamping plate end portions and attaching plate end portions, said fastener means extending through said clamping plate end portions to secure said members together, said attaching plate end portions when said members are secured together extending in opposite directions for attachment to said tension devices and said tension transmitting cables.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein there is further provided in combination at least two columns arranged within at least said one end section, said columns extending vertically from adjacent said ground anchorage and being connected to tension transmitting means of said one end section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said tension transmitting means includes a pair of members joined one to each of said tension devices and tension transmitting cables, and fastener means to removably interconnect said members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 8, wherein there is further provided in combination at least two columns arranged within at least said one end section, said columns extending vertically from adjacent said ground anchorage and being connected to said tension transmitting means of said one end section by said fastener means thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 9, wherein said tension devices lie along the outer surface of said end portion envelope portion, said members joined to said tension devices and said members joined to said tension transmitting cables are arranged outwardly and inwardly of said end portion envelope, respectively, and said fastener means extends through said end portion envelope portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 10, wherein said column includes a mounting plate fixed adjacent the upper end thereof, said mounting plate being inclined downwardly in a direction away from said central section, said members each including angularly disposed clamping plate end portions and attaching plate end portions, said fastener means extending through said clamping plate end portions and said mounting plate to secure same together in stacked relationship, said attaching plate end portions when said members are secured together extending in opposite directions for attachment to said tension devices and said tension transmitting cables.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein said central section includes an air inflated envelope portion of partial generally cylindrically shaped surface configuration and at least a pair of parallel flexible tension devices fixed at their opposite ends to the ground anchorage and bounding opposite ends of said central section, said tension transmitting means being secured to said bounding central section tension devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 12, wherein said central section tension devices lie along the outer surface of said central section envelope portion, said end portion tension devices lie along the outer surface of said end portion envelope portion, and said tension transmitting means includes outer and inner members and fastener means adapted to clampingly secure said members one with respect to the other, said outer members being secured to upper ends of said end portion tension devices and said inner members being secured to ends of said tension transmitting cables, said fastener means additionally securing said bounding central section tension devices to said tension transmitting means and extending through said end portion envelope portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
122 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 13, wherein there is further provided in combination at least two columns arranged within at least said one end section, said columns extending vertically from adjacent the ground anchorage, said columns include mounting plates, fixed adjacent upper ends thereof, said mounting plates being inclined downwardly in a direction away from said central section, said members each including angularly disposed clamping plate end portions and attaching plate end portions, said fastener means extending through said clamping plate end portions and said mounting plate to secure same together in stacked relationship, said attaching plate end portions when said members are secured together extending in opposite directions for attachment to said tension devices and said tension transmitting cables.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
246 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 1, wherein said central section includes an envelope portion comprising a plurality of relatively narrow, horizontally elongated envelope panels extending lengthwise of said central section and having marginal edges thereof connected to vertically adjacent panels, a series of parallel flexible tension devices fixed at their opposite ends thereof the ground anchorage and arranged in a spaced apart relationship lengthwise of said central section so as to extend transversely of the envelope panels thereof and means to attach said central section tension devices one to each of said central envelope panels, said end portion envelope portion comprising a plurality of relatively narrow, horizontally elongated envelope panels marginally connected with vertically adjacent panels thereof and extending transversely of said structure, said end portion tension devices extending transversely of said end portion panels, said end portion envelope panels carrying means to affix said end portion tension devices thereto, said end portions and said central section tension devices lying along the outer surface of said envelope panels, and said tension transmitting means includes inner and outer members and fastener means extending through said end portion envelope portion for clampingly securing said members one with respect to the other, said outer members being secured to upper ends of said end portion tension devices and said inner members being secured to said tension transmitting cables, said fastener means additionally securing said tension transmitting means to said central section tension devices disposed adjacent said end portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An air inflated structure according to claim 15, wherein said central section and end portion envelope panels are characterized as possessing a substantially greater degree of extensibility in a direction transversely thereof than a direction lengthwise thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
249 words
In an air inflated structure characterized as including a partial generally cylindrically shaped surface portion having an air inflatable envelope portion, a plurality of essentially parallel hoopwise extending flexible tension devices and attaching means for attaching said envelope portion to said tension devices thereby to permit said tension devices to transmit loads on said envelope portion out of said surface portion, the improvement wherein: said envelope portion is formed of a plurality of horizontally elongated panels arranged to extend transversely of said tension devices, said panels being marginally joined to vertically adjacent panels and forming between adjacent tension devices hoopwise extending envelope elEments of toroidal shaped configuration thereby to transmit substantially all loads on said envelope horizontally lengthwise of said panels into said tension devices, and said attaching means for each said tension device includes sleeve means fixed to and extending hoopwise of said panels and a generally U-shaped channel means for maintaining said sleeve means wrapped about its associated tension device, said sleeve means including strip means having reinforcing means extending along a pair of spaced lengthwise extending marginal edges thereof and being fixed intermediate said marginal edges to said panels to permit said strip means to be wrapped about its associated tension device and thereby arrange said reinforcing means in a closely spaced parallel relationship, and said channel means extending lengthwise of said tension device and frictionally retaining said reinforcing means therewithin, whereby said tension device is frictionally retained within said strip means by said channel means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
249 words
In an air inflated structure characterized as including a partial generally cylindrically shaped surface portion having an air inflatable envelope portion, a plurality of essentially parallel hoopwise extending flexible tension devices and attaching means for attaching said envelope portion to said tension devices thereby to permit said tension devices to transmit loads on said envelope portion out of said surface portion, the improvement wherein: said envelope portion is formed of a plurality of horizontally elongated panels arranged to extend transversely of said tension devices, said panels being marginally joined to vertically adjacent panels and forming between adjacent tension devices hoopwise extending envelope elEments of toroidal shaped configuration thereby to transmit substantially all loads on said envelope horizontally lengthwise of said panels into said tension devices, and said attaching means for each said tension device includes sleeve means fixed to and extending hoopwise of said panels and a generally U-shaped channel means for maintaining said sleeve means wrapped about its associated tension device, said sleeve means including strip means having reinforcing means extending along a pair of spaced lengthwise extending marginal edges thereof and being fixed intermediate said marginal edges to said panels to permit said strip means to be wrapped about its associated tension device and thereby arrange said reinforcing means in a closely spaced parallel relationship, and said channel means extending lengthwise of said tension device and frictionally retaining said reinforcing means therewithin, whereby said tension device is frictionally retained within said strip means by said channel means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |